St. Catharines, Ont. is looking at installing a new $3.4-million artificial turf sports field in the city. The project will include a single field, sports lighting, seating for 800 spectators, a field building with change rooms,
washrooms and equipment storage, a bus dropoff and parking for 100
cars. FULL STORY

THEâ€ˆnext few years are apt to be rough for Ontario’s sports turf
managers, in the wake of a province-wide cosmetic pesticide ban
implemented in April, but those up to the challenge can still produce
acceptable playing surfaces, more than 250 members of the Sports Turf
Association were told in September.
“I think we can overcome those challenges over the next few years, but
it’s going to be rough,” said Dr. Eric Lyons, assistant professor of
turfgrass science at the University of Guelph, speaking at the STA’s
22nd annual field day at Brantford, Ont.’s Lions Park.

ITâ€ˆwas a banner day for the Ontario Turfgrass Research Foundation on Sept. 14.
The organization raised approximately $40,000 from its annual
fundraising golf tournament, held at The National Golf Club of Canada
in Woodbridge, which will be earmarked for turfgrass research.

CANADIANS involved in the professional turfgrass management industry
have been given the rare opportunity to influence U.S. policy, by
taking part in a survey administered by Rutgers University.
In a recent memo to members of the Western Canada Turfgrass
Association, executive director Jerry Rousseau said he had been
contacted by the Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA) of Health
Canada to help provide input for registering new pesticide products for
use on turfgrass in Canada.

As most people hunker down at the sound of another winter weather
warning, snow and ice management contractors are out reaping the
harvests of abundant snowfalls. Recently, nature has been accommodating
to the snow and ice business while money is hard to earn elsewhere in
the current economy.
If you plow snow, you’ve experienced the potential. But if you only
offer a plowing service, you’re missing out on the increased profits of
material spreading. Whether you’re currently in the snow business or
looking to get in the game, it may be time to break the ice and jump
into the growing trend of full-service snow and ice management.

The "stench of rotting turf" has prompted the Regional Municipality of Niagara to urge its residents to leave grass clippings on their lawn. Complaints have been fielded about the foul smell coming from Niagara's main composting facility. FULL STORY

Metro Central YMCA in Toronto has initiated a new green roof project. A running track at the top of the building was not much more than hot concrete and offered little in the way of aesthetics. The greening project, although still in its early stages, will also offer plenty of environmental benefits. FULL STORY

The home of Major League Soccer's Toronto FS club is looking to replace its playing surface with natural turf for the start of next season. BMO Field, which opened in 2007, has operated the past two years with artificial turf. FULL STORY

John Deere's Welland Works has extended its closure date until at least the end of the year. The announcement will give another four months of work to 60 or 70 employees at the plant in Welland, Ont. FULL STORY

The resume of St. Charles Golf & Country Club superintendent Kerry Watkins shows he has accomplished something few other superintendents have achieved. The 32-year-old Winnipeg man has worked at all four of professional golf's major tournaments. The experience has proven invaluable, and now he is poised to draw on that experience as he prepares to host next year's CN Women's Open on the LPGA Tour. FULL STORY

Alberta's Fairview College will not be offering its turfgrass equipment technician program this fall due to low enrolment. Although the course has been suspended, it may be brought back in a year. FULL STORY

Glen Trentini, a veteran golf superintendent and former president of the Saskatchewan Turfgrass Association, died Saturday, July 25 at the age of 48. He was a founder of Deer Valley Golf & Estates, building the golf course in a valley setting. The course, which opened in 2001, was one of Saskatchewan's most scenic and challenging golf courses. FULL STORY

To celebrate a brand new $1-million renovation of the Cherry Hill Golf Course near Fort Erie, Ont., members officially cut the ribbon and inaugurated the new course with a ceremonial teeoff as part of its recent men’s opening day activities.
Established in 1922, Cherry Hill was designed by noted golf course architect, Walter J. Travis.
Travis, portrayed by Cherry Hill member Mike Reynolds, was on hand to assist with the ribbon cutting and to hit the first ball in the ceremonial teeoff. Also on hand to officiate were club president Kingman Bassett, Jr. and 2008 president Robert P. Borneman. Representing the Walter J. Travis Society was Ed Homsey of Stafford Country Club.
Ian Andrew, of Ian Andrew Design and Weir Golf Design, was the architect for the renovations, which include reconstruction of all bunkers with Travis-style grass faces and surrounding mounds as well as several new tee locations and a major pond expansion. Andrew spoke to the membership about Travis, and conducted a tour of select holes, while explaining the rationale for improvements and strategic shot options presented by the new improvements which were designed to reflect the style of Walter Travis.
Cherry Hill Club hosted the 1960 Ontario Open, the 1972 Canadian Open Championship and the 1982 Canadian Professional Golfers Association Championship.